Abbas said in the letter he extended to Brig. Gen. Ahmed Rezik, the head of Palestinian Civil Defense, that "you have done a great job. We are not late in doing our humanitarian duties."

On Dec. 2, a wildfire started in Israel's northern Carmel region. It has claimed the lives of 41 people and has burned more than 50,000 dunams. Thousands of people have also been evacuated from their homes.

"There was the tragedy in our neighboring country. It was our duty to do a humanitarian work towards our neighbors, to preserve the environment and also the human soles."

Abbas stressed that "the Palestinian people will not be late in doing his humanitarian duty towards the entire world, whether it is toward Israel or elsewhere, in accordance with our abilities.

The Palestinian presidency said that Israeli President Shimon Peres and called Abbas on Saturday and thanked him for sending the firefighters.